9 Aug 2015 – Caribbean Cruise – May 2015

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We enjoyed our December 2014 cruise so much we decided to go on another one!  But this time, we cruised on the Carnival Pride (see the ship below – ship capacity for 2,124 passengers).  The Carnival Pride is an older ship and is smaller than the Quantum of the Seas which has a capacity of 4180 passengers.

Carnival Pride

Carnival Pride

Our itinerary:

Day 1 – Depart Baltimore, MD

Day 2 – At Sea

Day 3 – At Sea

Day 4 – Grand Turk

Day 5 – Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

Day 6 – Freeport, Bahamas

Day 7 – At Sea

Day 8 – Arrive Baltimore, MD

Cruise Map

Cruise Map

 

This cruise was so different from our first.  We did not have to travel for 6 hours by bus to get to our departure port – only 90 min with traffic!  We were able to board as soon as we arrived which was a lot earlier than our boarding passes indicated – nice! Continue reading →

8 Aug 2015 – Doughnuts

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My Mom made these doughnuts in lieu of the ones her Dad made for her as a child.  This recipe is from Pillsbury Biscuit container.

Ingredients – Doughnuts
  • 1 can (7.5 oz) Pillsbury™ refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
  • Vegetable oil for frying
Ingredients – Glaze
  • 1/2 container (16-oz size) chocolate creamy ready-to-spread frosting
  • Candy sprinkles
Directions:

  • Separate dough into 10 biscuits; flatten each biscuit lightly with palm of hand. With 1-inch round biscuit or cookie cutter, cut hole in center of each biscuit.

  • In 12-inch skillet or 4-quart Dutch oven, heat 2 inches oil over medium-high heat to about 350ºF. Carefully fry biscuits about 30 seconds on each side or until golden brown. With slotted spoon, remove from oil; place on paper towels to cool.

  • In microwavable bowl, microwave frosting on High 15 to 30 seconds. Stir; if frosting is not completely melted, microwave and stir in 10-second increments until smooth.

  • Dip one side of each doughnut into chocolate glaze; sprinkle with candy sprinkles.

8 Aug 2015 – Bahamas Cruise, Dec 2014

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This was our first cruise!  It was also about six months after my husband (2nd time) and I (first time) retired.  Our travel agent recommended a cruise because we had family members of various ages traveling – from 10 years to 79 years old!  A cruise has something for all ages, besides all the variety of food!

The cruise ship left from Cape Liberty, NY which is driving distance from our home.  The travel agent mentioned this as another benefit – no need to fly.  Unfortunately, it was a 6 hour one-way bus ride drive with numerous stops.  We are not doing the bus ride thing again.  Flying is definitely the way to go!

We cruised on Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas (guest capacity at 4180).  We had balcony staterooms which really adds to the cruise experience!  It’s one of their newer ships (now traveling the Asian route) with the North Star, Seaplex (roller skating, bumper cars, basketball, table tennis), rock climbing, Flowrider, Dreamworks, and Ripcord (simulated ski diving).  This particular ship set the standard for all of our future cruises.  Entertainment (Momma Mia, night clubs, movies, etc.), food, cleanliness, etc – everything was of the highest quality!  Our itinerary is listed below:

Day 1 – Depart Cape Liberty, NY

Day 2 – At Sea

Day 3 – At Sea

Day 4 – Port Canaveral, FL

Day 5 – Nassau, Bahamas

Day 6 – CocoCay, Bahamas (private island)

Day 7 – At Sea

Day 8 – At Sea

Day 9 – Arrive Cape Liberty, NY

Some photos from our trip are below.   One thing I need to mention.  The voyage was so smooth.  You did not even realize the ship was moving.  We didn’t realize how important this was until we did our cruise in May 2015 on the Carnival Pride.  Regardless, we all had a fantastic time!

Royal Carribean Cruise, 9 Days and 8 Nights - 12-20 Dec 2014

Royal Caribbean Cruise, 9 Days and 8 Nights – 12-20 Dec 2014

CocoCay, Bahamas

CocoCay, Bahamas

Oldest Daughter Swimming with the Stingrays!

Our Daughter Swimming with the Stingrays!

8 Aug 2015 – Salmon Croquettes – This recipe is very easy, yet so delicious!

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Ingredients

– 2 (15 oz) cans of pink salmon

– 2 eggs (1 egg per can)

– 2 tsp of flour (1 per can)

– chopped onions to taste

– salt and pepper to taste

– 1 tsp of baking powder (add last and right before shaping into patties to cook)

 

Preparation (makes 8 servings or patties)

– Remove salmon from can and discard water.  Clean salmon by removing skin and bones.  Place in bowl large enough to hold salmon and all other ingredients.

– heat peanut oil in frying pan (just enough oil to cover bottom of pan about 1/4 inch)

– combine all ingredients and form patties (note:  it helps to periodically wet hands so that mixture does not stick to your hands)

– coat patty with seafood seasoning and gently place in skillet ensuring oil is hot enough to fry.  Turn periodically to obtain a golden brown crust on patty.  Remove from skillet and drain

– keep warm in oven (be careful not to over cook)

7 Aug 2015 – Introducing The Great-Grandparents – Mother’s Side Of The Family

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Dan and Amanda (Mandy) Jasper were my 2nd Great Grandparents on my Mother’s side of the family.  Dan Jasper was born in 1863 in Alabama to the parents of Robert (born 1806 in South Carolina) and Nancy Jasper (born 1827 in North Carolina).   By 1870, Robert and Nancy relocated to Quitman, MS.  


In 1880, at the age of 17 years old, Dan Jasper was a laborer and a single Black man.  In 1887, Dan Jasper married Mandy Portis also from Quitman, MS.    They had nine children together, of which Eva Jasper was my great-grandmother.  More on Eva below.

Let me pause and talk a little about Dan Jasper.  In my genealogy research, I was able to find that Dan Jasper secured 40 acres of land!  See the certificate of land registration below.

Dan Jasper Land Certification – 13 August 1895

Continue reading →